National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements

To provide technical and financial assistance to identify, conserve, manage, and enhance the natural, historical, and cultural resources and physical infrastructure of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS); deliver public access and high-quality outdoor recreational opportunities; build a volunteer cadre, and inspire the next generation of hunters, anglers and wildlife enthusiasts through work on and off NWRS managed lands and waters. This program also encourages coordination and integration of efforts between U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) programs and interested parties to accomplish successful prevention or management of invasive species. Projects must conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife and plants on and off NWRS managed lands for the continuing benefit of the American people.

State Government, County Government, City or Township Government, Special District Government, Regional Organization, U.S. Territory or Possession, Public/State Controlled Institution of Higher Education, Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Federally Recognized), Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Other than Federally Recognized), Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organization, Nonprofit with 501C3 IRS Status (Other than institution of Higher Education), Nonprofit without 501C3 IRS Status ( Other than Institution of Higher Education), For-Profit Organization (Other than Small Business), Small Business, Private Institution of Higher Education, Hispanic Serving Institution, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions.

Applications will be scored and selected based on the following criteria: 1) Cost: demonstrated through cost presentation in Project Narrative and Budget; 2) Organizational Capacity: demonstrated ability/capacity to work cooperatively with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to identify, conserve, manage and enhance the physical and ecological infrastructure of the NWRS; 3) Unique qualifications: Demonstration of unique qualifications to engage in this partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Additional application criteria will be available in the applicable Directed Announcement in GrantSolutions.

Fiscal year 2025: Program funded projects promoted engagement with the visiting public in outdoor recreation opportunities (such as hunting and fishing), stewardship of refuge resources through habitat maintenance, restoration and improvement, biological monitoring, refuge operations and maintenance, supported community engagement, construction, and improvement of refuge facilities, and also facilitated the publication and distribution of educational materials and products. Fiscal year 2026: Program has not yet selected all projects for funding. Program anticipates funding projects that promote engagement with the visiting public in outdoor recreation opportunities (such as hunting and fishing), promote stewardship of refuge resources through habitat maintenance, restoration and improvement, biological monitoring, refuge operations and maintenance, support community engagement, construction, and improvement of refuge facilities, and the facilitate the publication and distribution of educational materials and products.